DEATH: A CONSTANT REMINDER

“...For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). NKJV

Recently, I was honored to officiate the funeral of a relative. He was full of life every time I saw him, usually with a huge smile on his face.

Following my remarks at his graveside, one of his sons and I visited briefly. We talked about the things we did when we were little boys. After we spoke, I thought to myself that when we played together as youngsters, our parents were much younger then than he and I are now.

Wow! Where does the time go? Why do the years pass by so quickly? We are literally here one day and gone tomorrow.

When I read or hear of someone dying, I am often reminded of when my wife and I headed for home early one morning, after vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. At first, due to the heavy fog, we could barely see the taillights of the car in front of us. Then, without warning, the fog lifted and was gone.

And so it is with life. We are all here for a brief moment of time, then God calls us out of this world.

As believers, knowing this, it is so important that we make each day count for the glory of God because our time on this earth is ebbing away.

We should all take inventory of our lives, and ask ourselves each night, “What did I do today to honor God? Did I show His love by giving to someone in need? Did I express His love by speaking words of kindness to another? And if tomorrow does arrive, what will I do to cause the Heavenly Father to smile with approval.”

When life ends, those of us who have placed our faith in Christ will go to where He is and be rewarded for what we did in this life for the cause of His Kingdom. We need to live so that when that time comes, we will not be ashamed to meet the Lord.

Consider the words of the poet C.T. Studd wrote, “Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last".

How are you living today? Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? If not, place your faith in Him before it is too late! And if you do know Christ, then allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in living a life that is pleasing in the eyes of God.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:23-25; Hebrews 9:27